Forensic Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, via Don Minzoni 9, Macerata 62100, Italy.
J Anal Toxicol. 2023 May 19;47(5):488-493. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkad022.
Keratinized matrices, including nails, are among the most resistant matrices that can be analyzed in cases where remains are deeply decomposed and relatively non-invasive for living people. In order to exploit these new matrices in the search for exogenous substances, it is necessary to develop analytical technologies capable of achieving high levels of sensitivity. In this technical note, an easy method is presented for the simultaneous extraction and quantification of three narcotic substances (morphine, codeine and methadone), two benzodiazepines (BDZs) (clonazepam and alprazolam) and an antipsychotic (quetiapine) from nail matrix by analysis in ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography at high-resolution mass spectrometry. The method has been validated following the Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology of the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology. Nail specimens from eight authentic postmortem (PM) cases and 13 living donor samples were extracted and analyzed. Of the eight PM samples, five resulted positive for at least one of the three substances searched. Ten of the 13 living donor specimens were positive for at least one of the targeted BDZs or quetiapine.
角蛋白基质，包括指甲，是最具抵抗力的基质之一，可用于分析深度分解且对活体相对非侵入性的遗骸。为了在外源性物质的研究中利用这些新基质，有必要开发能够实现高灵敏度的分析技术。在本技术说明中，提出了一种简便的方法，可通过超高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱法同时从指甲基质中提取和定量分析三种麻醉物质（吗啡、可待因和美沙酮）、两种苯二氮䓬类药物（BDZ）（氯硝西泮和阿普唑仑）和一种抗精神病药物（喹硫平）。该方法是按照法医毒理学科学工作组的法医毒理学方法验证标准实践进行验证的。从 8 个真实的死后（PM）案例和 13 个活体供体样本中提取和分析了指甲样本。在这 8 个 PM 样本中，有 5 个至少有 3 种目标物质中的一种呈阳性。在 13 个活体供体样本中，有 10 个至少有 1 种目标 BDZ 或喹硫平呈阳性。
